gift spiritual transformational path 0118

GIFT’s Spiritual Transformation PathThe Parable of the Sower compels us to ask:

“What is the condition of our hearts? Are we on the path to producing a harvest?”

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Shallow?

Rocky?

Thorny?

Rich and fruitful?

We need to monitor and manage the condition of our hearts to enable God’s Word to take root and bear fruit. Using farming as an analogy -- which requires that seeds have good, rich soil to yield a harvest -- is my heart’s condition:

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The seed Word of God is to be sown in our hearts and minds like fruitful seed planted in fertile soil. Question: What is the “soil content” of our hearts?

– Shallow top soil, where God’s Word never really takes root and gets easily plucked up by Satan’s craftiness

– Rocky ground, where God’s Word gets suppressed by persecution or daily troubles

– Thorns, where cares of the world and the lures of things other than God choke God’s Word and our harvest

– Rich, fruitful soil -- what’s known as humus (the root word of humility) -- always appreciating and nurturing God’s Word and producing an abundant yield as a result

GIFT’s Spiritual Transformation Path

TheParable Of The Sower Can Lead To A Very Fruitful Life

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus asks about the ability of our heart to receive and nurture God’s Word and produce fruit, just like a farmer must find good soil in which to plant seed in order to produce fruit. Note: today’s farmers analyze soil content to assure a fruitful harvest.

Heart Condition Map

Modeled After Soil Condition Maps Used

In Farming

,Will The

Condition OfYour Heart

NurtureGod’s Word

And Produce Fruit?

Will The Seed Of God’s Word Yield A Harvest In You?

Jesus tells us a Parable related to farming:

"Hear this! A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up…

Other seeds fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots…

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain…

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold…“

Insights For Living From Jesus:The Parable Of The Sower

(Mark 4:1-20, NAB)

GIFT Transformational ThoughtsOn The Seed Sown On A Shallow Path

Jesus explains the first soil condition encountered by the sower: “The sower sows the Word. These are the ones on the path where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them.”

GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:

• Are we pursuing God's Word regularly? Is God's Word planted deeply enough in us to take root and not be plucked by Satan's deceitful lures?

• Do we accept God's Word as being truth – powerful, full of love and for our good -- and do we also recognize that Satan is real, a liar, and seeking our destruction with his deceit? Jesus explained, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.“ (John 8:44 NIV®)

• The Bible also describes Satan’s craftiness and attacks against us and against God's Word. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ ...’You will not certainly die, the serpent said to the woman.’" (Genesis 3:1-4 NIV®)

• We need to plant God's Word deep in our hearts and not let Satan or the world distract us from learning and living out that Word: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV®) “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17 NIV®)

• Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV®)

• Our solution: "I have hidden you word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11 NIV®)

The Parable of the Sower Transformational Thought #1

GIFT Transformational ThoughtsOn The Seed Sown On Rocky Soil

Jesus explains the second soil condition encountered by the sower, “And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”


• Do we truly receive God's Word with joy, and hide it in our hearts, so persecution or rough-going don't hinder us, and so we don't succumb to trials and persecution that suppress our joy, righteous living and witness?

• God's Word even assures us that it's Him, the creator of the universe, we can turn to in times of trouble, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV®)

• Amid the difficulties we face, God's Word also tells us that Jesus is providing an advocate who, along with His real presence, is ever with us, guiding and comforting us in the love and peace of our Lord, so we need not be vulnerable to persecution or trials. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27 NIV®)

• But God's Word also cautions: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV®), such that we should be prepared to face and endure persecution. In fact, if we're not being persecuted, maybe we're not living such a Godly life after all.

• Most importantly, we must consider the eternal blessings that come to those who hold true to God's Word and withstand persecution: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV®)

Jesus explains the third soil condition encountered by the sower, “Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”

GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:Does God's love for us and His instruction to us mean enough to us, such that worldly desires and concerns don't derail or impede us from internalizing God’s Word and showing Christ's love? Consider these admonitions about putting God and His commands first -- and seeking to love God and others -- rather than being caught up in issues of the world: • Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not

in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life —comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15 – 17 NIV®)

• "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:24-26 NIV®)

• If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17 NIV®)

• As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered, you know the commandments: "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother." "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:17-25 NIV®)

GIFT Transformational ThoughtsOn The Seed Sown Among Thorns

Jesus explains the fourth soil condition encountered by the sower, “But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”


• Have we considered just how much Jesus desires that we accept and retain his Word and produce fruit? He instructed us: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8 NIV®)

• In fact, Jesus even prayed for us and sanctified Himself for us, that we would produce fruit through His Word, while compassionately acknowledging that we'll face difficulties: "I have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." (John 17:4-19 NIV®)

• Importantly, there's a key question we must answer in order to assure fruitful, Christian living: Is God's Word being planted in the right conditions in our lives - in humus-oriented soil conditions that enable the seed to produce a yield? NOTE: Humus is defined as "dark organic material in soils, produced by decomposition of matter and essential to the fertility of the earth." It’s the “rich” soil Jesus speaks of in the Parable. (NOTE: humus is the root of the word humble, being "of the earth/grounded and not lofty."Humility is a key virtue we must embrace to be fruitful.)

• "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."(Micah 6:8 NIV®) Did not Jesus walk humbly among man – obedient to God’s will -- to bring the Word and love of God to us?

• "In humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:1-8 NIV®)

• Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:21-22 NIV®)

• "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble... In your hearts revere Christ the Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:8, 15 NIV®)

GIFT Transformational ThoughtsOn The Seed Sown On Rich Soil

Rich, fruitful soil – what’s known as humus (the root word of humility) – a condition always appreciating, embracing and nurturing God’s Word and producing an abundant yield.

According to Christian Leadership Magazine, "Transformation is not just an attitude; it's a changed life... a response to God and God's action. It requires our deliberate, humble participation."

To help us achieve a Spiritual transformation in which we're living in a humble, right relationship with God, we’ll want to leverage the wisdom in the Parable of the Sower. This wisdom can guide us into living more like Christ and impacting others with His love.

Importantly, as we walk along life's path, we need to make sure we're continually growing in a closer relationship with God, being transformed by His Word, with His Presence always directing us, undeterred and living and loving more like Christ.• We should take time often to reflect upon the Parable of the Sower and the condition of our hearts. • We should reflect on Jesus' explanation in the Parable regarding what kind of soil the seeds

encountered when sown along the Path and examine our lives -- are we nurturing God’s seed/Word to assure a harvest from His awesome Word, to resist Satan’s lies and lures, to contend with persecution, to avoid our life’s impact being choked off, and to produce good fruit and a yield?

• We may want to regularly reflect on some of the related transformational questions, scripture and thoughts provided here, regarding what the Parable means, and how it applies to our life.

• A key thought: we find that humility (from the root word “humus,” being of the earth – a condition in which good growth can occur) plays a big role in enabling our Spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

• If ever we veer off the path and go in the wrong direction, our knowing that our God is a loving and forgiving God can help us redirect our life's path back to the rich, humble, Word-infused soil that can yield much good and significant fruit.

Take The Humble Path To Spiritual Transformation And Produce A Fruitful Harvest

Achieving Spiritual Transformation That Yields Fruit Requires Following Four Key Scripture Messages Aligned WithThe Parable Of The Sower

1 2

3 4

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The Explanations That Jesus Gave Regarding The

Seeds That Were Sown

Can Teach Us How To Best Live

Our Lives

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Timothy Maurer

Global Institute For Transformation (GIFT)

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